Head of Science (Maternity Cover)

The Wisbech Academy; Wisbech; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wisbech Academy is seeking a Head of Science (Maternity Cover) to lead and develop a knowledge-rich Science curriculum for KS3 and KS4. The role involves strategic departmental leadership, high expectations for teaching and student outcomes, and plans to grow and mentor a future team.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced middle or senior leader ready to shape a new school and establish high academic standards within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• A passionate Science specialist with strong subject knowledge and leadership.
• Reflective practitioner with coaching and mentoring ability.
• Experience designing KS3 curriculum (KS4/KS5 advantageous).
• Excited to shape a new school and establish high academic standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the delivery and ongoing development of a coherent, knowledge-rich Science curriculum across Key Stages 3 and 4.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Science department, maintaining high expectations for teaching, learning, achievement and behaviour.
• Build, inspire, and mentor a future team as the school grows.
• Develop high-quality resources, enrichment opportunities, and cross‑curricular links.
• Ensure Science remains a vibrant, ambitious and inclusive subject that engages and challenges all learners
• Mentor and support new colleagues as the department grows - helping to develop confident, expert practitioners.

Skills

Science leadership

Curriculum development

Mentoring

Staff coaching

Job description

About this Role

• Job Title: Head of Science

  Location: The Wisbech Academy

  Salary: Main Teacher pay scale or Upper Teacher pay scale + TLR 1D

  Hours per week / Weeks per year: 32.5 hours per week/ 52 weeks per year

  Start date: January 2027

• About our school

  We are a new 11-16 school serving 600 students (120 PAN), growing year-on-year, we will move into our purpose-built site in 2028. Being part of the Wisbech Campus enables shared facilities, collaboration and excellent opportunities for staff and students.

• The Role

  We are seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking Head of Science (Maternity Cover) to lead the continued development and delivery of our Science curriculum.

  You will play a central role in driving high standards across the department, ensuring an academically rigorous and knowledge-rich curriculum that inspires curiosity, develops scientific thinking, and equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in further education and beyond.

  This position is ideal for an experienced middle or senior leader seeking an exciting leadership opportunity, or an ambitious and highly effective teacher ready to step into departmental leadership within a supportive and innovative environment.

What You Will Do

• Lead and oversee the delivery and ongoing development of a coherent, knowledge-rich Science curriculum across Key Stages 3 and 4.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Science department, maintaining high expectations for teaching, learning, achievement and behaviour.
• Build, inspire, and mentor a future team as the school grows.
• Develop high-quality resources, enrichment opportunities, and cross‑curricular links.
• Ensure Science remains a vibrant, ambitious and inclusive subject that engages and challenges all learners
• Mentor and support new colleagues as the department grows - helping to develop confident, expert practitioners.

What We’re Looking For

• A passionate Science specialist with strong subject knowledge and the ability to lead a knowledge-rich curriculum that develops scientific understanding, enquiry skills and curiosity.

• A reflective practitioner with strong pedagogical understanding and the ability to coach, mentor, and develop others.
• Experience designing or contributing to a rigorous KS3 curriculum (KS4/KS5 advantageous as we grow).
• A colleague excited by the unique opportunity to shape a new school and establish high academic standards.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a new school with the freedom to innovate and design provision from first principles.
• Shape a department entirely around your vision and academic values.
• Play a central role in recruiting, shaping, and mentoring a future team.
• Work within a supportive, research‑informed environment focused on academic excellence.
• Benefit from opportunities for rapid professional growth as the school expands.

Contribute to building a culture of scholarship, curiosity, and intellectual ambition.

About Brooke Weston Trust

Our students come from all walks of life, and we want our staffing body to be reflective of the communities we work within. Brooke Weston Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, culture, age, disability, marital status or socio-economic backgrounds. We encourage and welcome applications from minority groups and foster a work environment that’s inclusive as well as diverse, where people can be themselves.

Our Trust was formed more than 25 years ago with a simple and clear mission - to transform educational performance in all of our communities. Working in some of the most challenging contexts, we improve our students’ achievements by making long term commitments to the community and championing new approaches to improve the life chances for young people.

Our members of staff are essential to realising this vision, and a happy, motivated and supported team will deliver the best possible experiences for our young people.

We place great emphasis on creating a supportive and collaborative working environment in all our schools, where all staff can share best practice through our colleague networks. Brooke Weston staff get access to first class professional development through our Ambition Hub, which is also home to the Northamptonshire Teaching School.

To find out more about working for our Trust and the benefits available to staff please check out the BWT website.

The Benefits at Brooke Weston Trust we can offer you:

• We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:
• Generous annual leave entitlementstarting at 25 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays. An additional 3 days after 5 years’ service and the ability to purchase up to 10 days additional leave per year.
• One wellbeing day a year, in addition to your annual leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover(3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discountswith local and national retailers, covering high street supermarkets, days out and holidays, health and beauty, dining out plus lots more.
• A freshly prepared breakfast and hot or cold luncheach day when you work in one of our Trust schools
• Payment of professional subscription / membership- If your role requires you to be a member of a professional body, BWT will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.
• Employee Assistance Programme- We have an employee support programme run by Your Care, an independent, external organisation. Your Care is available for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, both face to face and online.
• Additional health benefitsincluding aHealth Care cash plan and access to an online GP
• Cycle to Workscheme.
• Ongoing opportunities for training and developmentand access to the BWT Centre for Professional Development
• Collaborative and Ambitious colleagueswith the support of a committed team who work to maintain high standards and expectations
• Be the difference- At Brooke Weston Trust we believe every child deserves the best possible start, giving them a "ticket for life." If you want to use your skills with an organisation committed to making a difference and improving lives, this is the place for you
• A comprehensive CPD programme across curriculum, safeguarding, behaviour, SEND, leadership development, and governance
• High‑quality training delivered by senior leaders across the Trust, alongside nationally recognised experts, Ofsted inspectors, DfE‑affiliated consultants, and specialist outreach providers
• Access to purpose‑built professional learning facilities, including the CPD Centre (home of the Northamptonshire Teaching School Hub) and the Primary Training Hub at Oakley Vale Primary School
• A wide range of courses spanning everything from curriculum design and teaching & learning to first aid, leadership, SEND, and operational skills
• As a Brooke Weston Trust school, the Wisbech Academy sits within the Northamptonshire Teaching School Hub, which delivers the NPQ programme in partnership with Ambition Institute.
• Being within the same Trust family gives our teachers excellent access to its full suite of NPQs, delivered in partnership with Ambition Institute. This reflects the strong emphasis Brooke Weston Trust places on high‑quality professional development, ensuring colleagues have clear, research‑informed pathways for progression.

Safer Recruitment

Care and respect for others are the values that lie at the heart of our Trust. The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. It expects all staff to share this commitment. All posts require proof of identity and as the role is working with children and young people this will also be subject to an enhanced disclosures barring service check. In line with safer recruitment requirements, individuals shortlisted for a role in school will have online checks conducted on their name across social media platforms and google.

A copy of the Trust Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found here - Safeguarding andChild Protection

The Trusts position on the recruitment of Ex-Offenders can be found under section 7 of the Trust SCR, Safer Recruitment and Staff Files Policy - Safer Recruitmentand Staff Files Policy

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Safeguarding Statement

The Brooke Weston Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and, where applicable, a Children’s Barred List check. In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education, we will undertake an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of our safer recruitment checks. Further information about our approach to safer recruitment can be found in our TPO.STA.03-Safer-Recruitment-Policy-2026.pdf